Mothers and Fathers Both Important for Children

Both mothers and fathers help little girls grow to be women and little boys to be men.  Anthropologist Suzanne Frayser explains this is constant in all human societies:  “Each process compliments the other.  The boy can look at his father and see what he should do to be a male; he can look at his mother and see what he should not do to be a male.”  Frayser continues, “The importance of contrast in gender roles and specification of gender identity may be clues to the psychological importance of sexual differentiation in all societies.”  Girls and boys who grow up with a father are more familiar and secure with the curious world of men.

Girls who are close to their fathers

• have healthier relationships with boys in adolescence and men in adulthood.  This is because they learn from their fathers how proper men act
• have a healthy familiarity with the word of men.  They don’t wonder how a man’s facial stubble feels, or how it feels to be hugged by strong arms.

This knowledge builds emotional security and safety from the exploitation of predatory males.

Boys who are close to their fathers

• are more secure in their masculinity and less likely to be violent.
• have their masculinity affirmed and learn from their fathers how to channel their maleness and strength in positive ways.

Fathers help boys and girls understand proper male sexuality, hygiene, behavior and work in age-appropriate ways.

Mothers help boys understand the female world and develop a sensitivity toward women.  They also help boys know how to relate and communicate with women.

Glenn T. Stanton and Dr. Bill Maier, “Marriage on Trial: The Case Against Same-Sex Marriage and Parenting,” pg.117-118